At Rainbows End - Ren 2010: The Rise and Fall of Renaissance 2010: Chicago's School Reform Experiment

The roots of Renaissance 2010 trace back to 2001 when Mayor Daley's announcement heralded the creation of 100 new schools, predominantly charters, to replace failing ones. Backed by business and philanthropic circles, the project aimed to establish high-performing schools. Although officially launched in 2004, it was informally piloted during the 2001-2002 academic year. The initiative commenced with the closure of the first-ever Chicago Public School, setting the stage for experimental reform. Notably, schools like Daniels Hale Williams, Dodge, and Mary C Terrell were chosen for their proximity to downtown Chicago and areas earmarked for gentrification. Situated strategically, these schools, such as Williams near the Dearborn Housing Complex and Dodge close to the United Center, became targets not due to academic performance but as part of broader urban planning objectives involving land acquisition and community transformation. Following the closure of three initial schools, Williams, Dodge, and Terrell, another 100 swiftly shut down over the subsequent nine years. Originally, plans aimed at shuttering 100 elementary schools on the South and West sides, all of which had student populations exceeding 90% African American. The blueprint outlined closing or restructuring 100 elementary schools by 2010, with high schools to follow suit by 2012 and city colleges by 2014. Of the 100 schools closed, 99% were situated within the African American community. Upon election, Rahm Emanuel added 50 more closures to the tally. While Daley's closures targeted schools for low academic performance, Emanuel's targeted those with low enrollment and underutilization, exacerbated by the forced displacement of over 200,000 African Americans during the Daley administration's gentrification efforts. Despite initial excitement, Renaissance 2010 has been widely regarded as one of the most colossal failures in education history. Researchers nationwide have scrutinized the initiative, with many arguing that the purported school failures were fabricated to facilitate the gentrification of low-income communities. Critics, including David Sirota in his article "It's All About Dollars and Cents," contend that the crisis was manufactured under Daley's administration to justify the desired outcome: the gentrification of predominantly African American school districts. The closures also had significant implications for African American educators, with mass firings reminiscent of the post-Brown v. Board of Education era, further undermining the Black middle class and opportunities for advancement. Arne Duncan's leadership spearheaded targeted closures within African American communities, a trend that continued with his national education agenda, "Race to the Top," impacting cities like New Orleans, Cleveland, Detroit, and Boston. Despite financial commitments and support from entities like the Renaissance Schools Fund, community input was notably lacking, with officials seemingly dismissive of concerns and complaints regarding vague closure policies. Public outcry led to legal action, including a lawsuit filed by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, highlighting CPS's disregard for homeless students' rights.
ASIN: B0FFZRMKZ4
VSKU: BVV.B0FFZRMKZ4.G
Condition: Good
Author/Artist:Jackson-Chatonda, Dr. Rosita
Binding: Paperback
Note: Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.
Condition Notes: The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact including the dust cover, if applicable . Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.